This document provides an introduction to data visualization for beginners. It discusses the importance of visualizing data to tell stories and explore information. The continuum of data visualization is presented, from basic Excel charts to complex infographics. Four tips are provided for making numbers and charts more accessible: putting numbers in context, choosing the appropriate chart, simplifying visuals, and not making it difficult to find information. The document then covers chart dissection, design guidelines, and the process for successful data visualization projects.

1. DATA VISUALIZATION
FOR THE REST OF US:
A BEGINNER’S GUIDE
Linda Hofschire | @lindahofschire
Library Research Service, Colorado State Library
Zeth Lietzau | @zeth
Denver Public Library

2. SCHOOL LIBRARY IMPACT STUDIES

6. Stories are how numbers talk to people.
-Thomas Davenport
By visualizing information, we turn it into a
landscape that you can explore with your
eyes, a sort of information map. And when
you’re lost in information, an information
map is kind of useful.
―David McCandless
Numbers have an important story
to tell. They rely on you to give
them a clear and convincing voice.
―Stephen Few

7. The Data Visualization Continuum
Excel chart/
number art in a
report or
presentation
Complex infographic
that includes a variety
of visual elements

10. The Data Visualization Continuum
Excel chart/
number art in a
report or
presentation
Complex infographic
that includes a variety
of visual elements
Where are you on the continuum?

11. FOUR SIMPLE
TWEAKS
to make numbers and charts more accessible

12. 1. PUT NUMBERS IN CONTEXT

13. Source: Data is Beautiful/Reddit
2. CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CHART

14. 2. CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE CHART

15. 3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A
FOCAL POINT

16. Image credit: Stephanie Evergreen
3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A
FOCAL POINT

17. Image credit: Stephanie Evergreen
3. SIMPLIFY AND ESTABLISH A
FOCAL POINT

18. 4. DON’T MAKE PEOPLE WORK TOO
HARD TO FIND INFORMATION
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
<10k 10k-24,999 25k-99,999 100k-499,999 500k+
PercentageofLibraries
Population Group
Percentage of U.S. Public Libraries with Text, Chat, and
Email Reference, 2014
Text Chat Email

19. 2%
11% 14%
21%
67%
9%
26% 28%
43%
100%
25% 26%
48%
75%
100%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
<10k 10k-24,999 25k-99,999 100k-499,999 500k+
PercentageofLibraries
Population Group
Percentage of U.S. Public Libraries with Text, Chat, and
Email Reference, 2014
Text Chat Email
4. DON’T MAKE PEOPLE WORK TOO
HARD TO FIND INFORMATION

20. CHART DISSECTION

21. 49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

22. 49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time
*

23. 49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

24. 49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

25. 49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time
*

26. 49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

27. 49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time
Color

28. 49% 49%
54%
59%
58%
60%61%
59%
62%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
My child's enjoyment of
reading increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by
choice increased
The impact of summer reading was particularly pronounced for families
participating in the program for the first time and children ages 4-6:
All survey respondents Parents of children ages 4-6 Families participating in summer
reading for the first time

29. 49.32% 49.13%
54.05%
59.28% 57.71%
60.39%61.22%
59.01%
61.86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
My child's enjoyment of reading
increased
My child's reading skills
increased
My child's reading by choice
increased
Chart 3
Percentages of Survey Respondents Indicating Their Child's
Enjoyment of Reading, Reading Skills, and Reading by Choice
Increased after Participating in Summer Reading
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer reading for the first time

30. ACTIVITY:
CHART DISSECTION

32. 10%
25%
27%
29%
30%
32%
34%
51%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Entrepreneurship
Employment
Education
eGovernment
Health & wellness
eCommerce
Civic engagement
Social networking
Using technology to stay in touch with family and friends and maintain
social networks was the most popular activity on Rock Creek Public
Library computers.

34. The percentages of Stony Brook Public Library computer users accomplishing
work-related tasks have increased steadily since 2013.

36. About half of Boulder Bay Public Library computer users are white,
and more than 1 in 4 are Hispanic or Latino.

37. 48%
27%
11%
10%
4%
White
Hispanic or Latino
Black or African-American
American Indian and Alaska
Native
Asian
More than 1 in 4 Boulder Bay Public Library computer users are
Hispanic or Latino.

38. 3 DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. K.I.S.S.
2. Show rather than tell
3. Colors and fonts

41. 3 DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. K.I.S.S.
2. Show rather than tell
3. Colors and fonts

43. 3 DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. K.I.S.S.
2. Show rather than tell
3. Colors and fonts

46. THE DESIGN
PROCESS

47. STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals
and audience
3. Find your story
4. Design, refine,
repurpose
5. Share

48. SUMMER READING SURVEY
49%
49%
54%
0% 20% 40% 60%
My child's enjoyment of
reading increased
My child's reading by
choice increased
My child's reading skills
increased
After participating in summer reading...

49. STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals
and audience
3. Establish your approach
4. Design, refine, repurpose
5. Share

50. GOALS AND AUDIENCE

51. Each year, Colorado public libraries offer
engaging summer reading programs to
encourage children and teens to read for
fun and to prevent summer learning loss…
GOALS AND AUDIENCE

52. STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals
and audience
3. Find your story
4. Design, refine, repurpose
5. Share

53. WHAT’S THE STORY?
49%
49%
54%
0% 20% 40% 60%
My child's enjoyment of
reading increased
My child's reading by
choice increased
My child's reading skills
increased
After participating in summer reading...

54. Child’s age
Summer reading
participation
history
Library
card
How respondent
learned about
summer reading Plan to visit
library in fall
WHAT’S THE STORY?

55. Child’s age
Summer reading
participation
history Library
card
How respondent
learned about
summer reading Plan to visit
library in fall
WHAT’S THE STORY?

56. 49%
59%
61%
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer
reading for the first time
My child’s enjoyment of reading increased
WHAT’S THE STORY?

57. 49%
59%
59%
All survey respondents
Parents of children ages 4-6
Families participating in summer
reading for the first time
My child’s reading skills increased
WHAT’S THE STORY?

58. WHAT’S THE STORY?
54%
60%
61%
All survey respondents
Families participating in summer
reading for the first time
Parents of children ages 4-6
My child’s reading by choice increased

59. STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals
and audience
3. Find your story
4. Design, refine,
repurpose
5. Share

61. DESIGN, REFINE, REPURPOSE

67. STEPS FOR SUCCESS
1. Begin with numbers
2. Understand your goals
and audience
3. Establish your approach
4. Design, refine, repurpose
5. Share

71. AN EXAMPLE
FROM THE FIELD

72. WHERE WE WERE

73. ONE SIMPLE QUESTION

77. INFOGRAPHIC CREATION
SOFTWARE
PowerPoint
Adobe
Illustrator
Piktochart

80. INFOGRAPHIC CREATION
SOFTWARE
PowerPoint
Adobe
Illustrator
Piktochart

81. PIKTOCHART

82. RESOURCES
 Infographic Software Selection Guide
 Tips and Inspiration
 Software Tutorials
 Icon/Image Sources
 Fonts/Symbol Fonts
 Color
Palettes
Color Blindness
 Chart Selection Guide

83. ACTION ITEMS
1. Perform a chart dissection.
2. Take a data inventory. What are you
currently collecting?
3. Think about the stories you want to tell
about your library. Do you have the data
to tell those stories?

84. IT’S EASIER TO BE A
CRITIC THAN IT IS
TO BE A CREATOR

86. QUESTIONS?

87. THANK YOU!
Linda Hofschire
Hofschire_L@cde.state.co.us
Zeth Lietzau
zlietzau@denverlibrary.org